Oil giant, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, has launched an initiative to donate well-equipped STEAM Laboratories to schools to promote a learning environment where students can participate actively in hands-on and practical STEAM learning.
The goal, according to Seplat, was to unleash students’ potential and assist them in developing their science, engineering, mathematics, and art skills by using technology to create, collaborate and complete projects.
The STEAM Laboratory, supported by Solar Energy, has internet access to provide the teachers with a technology-enhanced learning environment to support project-based learning for their students.
Seplat STEAM laboratory is designed to help students learn how to work as part of a team, solve problems and apply their knowledge in advanced and creative ways.
The company commenced this initiative with the donation of a well-equipped laboratory to Ihogbe College in Benin City, Edo State. It will also be extended to more schools in the State and neighbouring Delta State.
Speaking at the event, the Director of External Affairs & Sustainability, Seplat Energy, Dr Chioma Nwachuku, noted that, as a company, Seplat distinguished itself by implementing distinct educational initiatives to support achieving quality education for students and teachers in its states of operation.
“Seplat is excited that the STEAM laboratories will further strengthen the application of STEAM learning that the company has continued to promote in schools through the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP),” she noted.
She affirmed that the STEAM laboratory would create a student-centred learning environment, focusing on developing their skills and connecting the STEAM subject areas while preparing them for future careers and the real world.
The Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme, known as STEP, equips Secondary School teachers with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to teach students the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning model.
“Teachers are critical factors towards achieving quality education. Hence, in 2020, Seplat commenced the STEP initiative to empower teachers with the essential STEAM knowledge and skill sets. This highly sought-after programme has delivered immense outcomes for 634 teachers and over 25,000 students in Delta and Edo States secondary schools,” she added.
Speaking at the event, the Director of New Energy Seplat Energy, Mr Effiong Okon, asserted that, “We (Seplat) started the STEP initiative by training teachers, and now we have taken the next step by investing in the STEAM Lab and providing unique gadgets. This laboratory will significantly change how students learn and how our children’s potentials can be unleashed.”
He further highlighted how the initiative aligned with the company’s strategic business goals.
“Although we started with producing oil, Seplat is currently investing in New Energy, and this STEAM Lab will be successfully powered by solar Energy because we have a high sun density. So we do not have to rely on the grid or power-generating sets to run the Lab. We look forward to collaborating with the students and possibly championing new scientific breakthroughs,” he said.
In her speech, the Commissioner for Education, Edo State, Dr Joan Oviawe, thanked Seplat on behalf of the state government while reiterating that this donation supports the state government’s drive to enhance the role of technology in improving the quality of education.
“The Edo State educational eco-system is proud to be associated with Seplat. This gift is welcome, and we want to assure you that this school would put the Lab to good use.”
The Principal of Ihogbe College, Barrister Johnson Egharevda, expressed the excitement of the entire school as he remarked that his students have also attended Seplat-organised competitions, noting that three of the school’s STEP-trained teachers have developed power banks based on knowledge gained from STEP.
